How much are you giving teachers this holiday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Please don't give me anything, unless it's a letter to my principal (and if you really like me, copied to higher-ups) about what a great teacher I am (and why). I also love homemade cards or notes or drawings from your children, if they are inclined to do so without you forcing them. Otherwise, I'm an educational professional, not your friend, your nanny, or your relative. I don't need a gift or a tip. I mean, you wouldn't give one to your doctor.

I don't tip my doctor, but my doctor is not cutting into their own earnings to buy supplies for my kids. I send gift cards to target for this reason.

If this is the case why not ask for more class supplies from the school administration, make a request to the PTA or send a message to the parents in the class specifically to help buy said supplies.

Buying classroom supplies expecting to be reimbursed with gifts seems questionable to me.

We are not allowed to make any requests to the PTA, nor is there any money in the budget from school admin. My principal is just as likely to give me money out of her own pocket though. And my parents are poor, so I can't ask them. And no, I don't "expect" any gift for anything. I buy things for my students and my classroom because I love them. Period. Technically, I don't "have to" buy anything. But I would never want a classroom for my own children without books, without games or toys, without a fish tank, without basic supplies, without science or art materials so I make sure my students have those things. I want my students to have the same kind of classroom my own children get.

I'm so freaking tired of hearing from people b#tch#ing about teacher gifts. If you don't want to give anything or can't give anything, it's totally fine. I do my job based on an internal sense of care and dedication. The best gift you can give a teacher is to ensure your child is respectful, does their homework (or is read to at night if they are too little for homework) and has their basic needs met.

Books, every school has a library, you don’t need another one in your classroom
Games and toys, you’re at an educational institution, not a day care center
Fish tank, lol, take a field trip to the local zoo or aquarium
Science and art supplies, I’d be curious to know what the list consists of, I’ve seen great teachers do amazing things with cheap supplies.

I helped organize a science fair at my child’s elementary schools. You can set up hands on experiments for an entire class for $20. If you set up a list of things you need I’m sure you’d find some parents to help you with.

Classroom libraries mean children have access to books every day, not just once a week for their specials. I was a poor kid and craved books. I’m glad my teachers had great classroom libraries.

DH learned to play chess in his ES classroom. He was also a poor kid. It sparked a love of math. He became an engineer.

Wow, what schools were these? I was a gifted LMC kid at a terrible ES in the 1980s and the library had the books and no teacher took the time to teach a student how to play chess, too busy putting out behavioral fires and working with the students in need of the most help…I was used as a buffer-teacher for struggling students and I HATED IT, no extra attention for me!

[Anonymous]

I’m a librarian in a high FARMs school and I had several students stop by on our las5 day to tell me thank you for the books or that they love our library class. Best gift ever.

Second best is Amazon cards to I can buy more books. I don’t have to supplement my budget by buying books out of pocket, but I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Please don't give me anything, unless it's a letter to my principal (and if you really like me, copied to higher-ups) about what a great teacher I am (and why). I also love homemade cards or notes or drawings from your children, if they are inclined to do so without you forcing them. Otherwise, I'm an educational professional, not your friend, your nanny, or your relative. I don't need a gift or a tip. I mean, you wouldn't give one to your doctor.

I don't tip my doctor, but my doctor is not cutting into their own earnings to buy supplies for my kids. I send gift cards to target for this reason.

If this is the case why not ask for more class supplies from the school administration, make a request to the PTA or send a message to the parents in the class specifically to help buy said supplies.

Buying classroom supplies expecting to be reimbursed with gifts seems questionable to me.

We are not allowed to make any requests to the PTA, nor is there any money in the budget from school admin. My principal is just as likely to give me money out of her own pocket though. And my parents are poor, so I can't ask them. And no, I don't "expect" any gift for anything. I buy things for my students and my classroom because I love them. Period. Technically, I don't "have to" buy anything. But I would never want a classroom for my own children without books, without games or toys, without a fish tank, without basic supplies, without science or art materials so I make sure my students have those things. I want my students to have the same kind of classroom my own children get.

I'm so freaking tired of hearing from people b#tch#ing about teacher gifts. If you don't want to give anything or can't give anything, it's totally fine. I do my job based on an internal sense of care and dedication. The best gift you can give a teacher is to ensure your child is respectful, does their homework (or is read to at night if they are too little for homework) and has their basic needs met.

Books, every school has a library, you don’t need another one in your classroom
Games and toys, you’re at an educational institution, not a day care center
Fish tank, lol, take a field trip to the local zoo or aquarium
Science and art supplies, I’d be curious to know what the list consists of, I’ve seen great teachers do amazing things with cheap supplies.

I helped organize a science fair at my child’s elementary schools. You can set up hands on experiments for an entire class for $20. If you set up a list of things you need I’m sure you’d find some parents to help you with.

Classroom libraries mean children have access to books every day, not just once a week for their specials. I was a poor kid and craved books. I’m glad my teachers had great classroom libraries.

DH learned to play chess in his ES classroom. He was also a poor kid. It sparked a love of math. He became an engineer.

Wow, what schools were these? I was a gifted LMC kid at a terrible ES in the 1980s and the library had the books and no teacher took the time to teach a student how to play chess, too busy putting out behavioral fires and working with the students in need of the most help…I was used as a buffer-teacher for struggling students and I HATED IT, no extra attention for me!

Ugh being a buffer-teacher ruined several school experiences. 1st graders, even gifted ones, should not be made responsible for other 1st graders, especially ones with behavioral issues. I still have flashbacks to feelings that looking back are completely inappropriate for a 6-7 year-old. At the time I accepted them as normal, and that I was a problem for being unable to do it

[Anonymous]

$75 to the class fund.

[Anonymous]

I did $30 for each of the main teachers in elementary school (2 kids so $120). Then I did $20 for each of my son’s preschool teachers (he has 4 so $80). All canes with a nice card/letter made by the kids. I am sure some will give more money since we are in private school, but we aren’t rich and $200 is already a lot for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Please don't give me anything, unless it's a letter to my principal (and if you really like me, copied to higher-ups) about what a great teacher I am (and why). I also love homemade cards or notes or drawings from your children, if they are inclined to do so without you forcing them. Otherwise, I'm an educational professional, not your friend, your nanny, or your relative. I don't need a gift or a tip. I mean, you wouldn't give one to your doctor.

I don't tip my doctor, but my doctor is not cutting into their own earnings to buy supplies for my kids. I send gift cards to target for this reason.

If this is the case why not ask for more class supplies from the school administration, make a request to the PTA or send a message to the parents in the class specifically to help buy said supplies.

Buying classroom supplies expecting to be reimbursed with gifts seems questionable to me.

We are not allowed to make any requests to the PTA, nor is there any money in the budget from school admin. My principal is just as likely to give me money out of her own pocket though. And my parents are poor, so I can't ask them. And no, I don't "expect" any gift for anything. I buy things for my students and my classroom because I love them. Period. Technically, I don't "have to" buy anything. But I would never want a classroom for my own children without books, without games or toys, without a fish tank, without basic supplies, without science or art materials so I make sure my students have those things. I want my students to have the same kind of classroom my own children get.

I'm so freaking tired of hearing from people b#tch#ing about teacher gifts. If you don't want to give anything or can't give anything, it's totally fine. I do my job based on an internal sense of care and dedication. The best gift you can give a teacher is to ensure your child is respectful, does their homework (or is read to at night if they are too little for homework) and has their basic needs met.

Books, every school has a library, you don’t need another one in your classroom
Games and toys, you’re at an educational institution, not a day care center
Fish tank, lol, take a field trip to the local zoo or aquarium
Science and art supplies, I’d be curious to know what the list consists of, I’ve seen great teachers do amazing things with cheap supplies.

I helped organize a science fair at my child’s elementary schools. You can set up hands on experiments for an entire class for $20. If you set up a list of things you need I’m sure you’d find some parents to help you with.

Classroom libraries mean children have access to books every day, not just once a week for their specials. I was a poor kid and craved books. I’m glad my teachers had great classroom libraries.

DH learned to play chess in his ES classroom. He was also a poor kid. It sparked a love of math. He became an engineer.

Wow, what schools were these? I was a gifted LMC kid at a terrible ES in the 1980s and the library had the books and no teacher took the time to teach a student how to play chess, too busy putting out behavioral fires and working with the students in need of the most help…I was used as a buffer-teacher for struggling students and I HATED IT, no extra attention for me!

For me, mix of Catholic parochial and City public schools in the late 1970s and very early ‘80s in West Baltimore. No major behavioral issues in either. We loved those teachers for the most part. They were devoted to our community and really knew our whole families well. Everything changed when crack arrived, but before that if you misbehaved, a teacher might walk you home to talk to your parents or grandmother. That same teacher not only had your older siblings, but likely your first cousins as well. There was no hope of lying on the teacher or saying they were just mean. When one teacher died in the 1990s, thousands attended her funeral.

I was also identified as GT and skipped a grade. However, I was very introverted. Maybe that’s why I wasn’t asked to help anyone else.

For DH, rural Louisiana. Different geography, but similar vibe. He’s the middle kid in a large family. When you’re the fifth sibling and the eleventh first cousin to have a teacher, there’s a special bond. I’ll have to ask him if he was asked to teach other students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Please don't give me anything, unless it's a letter to my principal (and if you really like me, copied to higher-ups) about what a great teacher I am (and why). I also love homemade cards or notes or drawings from your children, if they are inclined to do so without you forcing them. Otherwise, I'm an educational professional, not your friend, your nanny, or your relative. I don't need a gift or a tip. I mean, you wouldn't give one to your doctor.

I don't tip my doctor, but my doctor is not cutting into their own earnings to buy supplies for my kids. I send gift cards to target for this reason.

If this is the case why not ask for more class supplies from the school administration, make a request to the PTA or send a message to the parents in the class specifically to help buy said supplies.

Buying classroom supplies expecting to be reimbursed with gifts seems questionable to me.

I don’t think anyone things teachers are even remotely close to being fully reimbursed by gift cards. And most people realize that school administrators can’t or won’t release more funds for classroom supplies. Maybe a particularly flush PTA can do it, but classroom supplies aren’t as sexy as the other things they like to furnish.

You make the argument for gift cards by saying some teachers pay for supplies out of their pockets. My point is they are two different things and one doesn’t justify the other. Why do you bring up that you paid for supplies then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Please don't give me anything, unless it's a letter to my principal (and if you really like me, copied to higher-ups) about what a great teacher I am (and why). I also love homemade cards or notes or drawings from your children, if they are inclined to do so without you forcing them. Otherwise, I'm an educational professional, not your friend, your nanny, or your relative. I don't need a gift or a tip. I mean, you wouldn't give one to your doctor.

I don't tip my doctor, but my doctor is not cutting into their own earnings to buy supplies for my kids. I send gift cards to target for this reason.

If this is the case why not ask for more class supplies from the school administration, make a request to the PTA or send a message to the parents in the class specifically to help buy said supplies.

Buying classroom supplies expecting to be reimbursed with gifts seems questionable to me.

We are not allowed to make any requests to the PTA, nor is there any money in the budget from school admin. My principal is just as likely to give me money out of her own pocket though. And my parents are poor, so I can't ask them. And no, I don't "expect" any gift for anything. I buy things for my students and my classroom because I love them. Period. Technically, I don't "have to" buy anything. But I would never want a classroom for my own children without books, without games or toys, without a fish tank, without basic supplies, without science or art materials so I make sure my students have those things. I want my students to have the same kind of classroom my own children get.

I'm so freaking tired of hearing from people b#tch#ing about teacher gifts. If you don't want to give anything or can't give anything, it's totally fine. I do my job based on an internal sense of care and dedication. The best gift you can give a teacher is to ensure your child is respectful, does their homework (or is read to at night if they are too little for homework) and has their basic needs met.

Books, every school has a library, you don’t need another one in your classroom
Games and toys, you’re at an educational institution, not a day care center
Fish tank, lol, take a field trip to the local zoo or aquarium
Science and art supplies, I’d be curious to know what the list consists of, I’ve seen great teachers do amazing things with cheap supplies.

I helped organize a science fair at my child’s elementary schools. You can set up hands on experiments for an entire class for $20. If you set up a list of things you need I’m sure you’d find some parents to help you with.

Obviously, you aren't aware of the research around books in the classroom and outcomes. Games? Yes, I teach kindergarten and kids learn through games. Toys, again, Kindergarten. These are a MUST HAVE. Seriously, go away. Please. Go away.

You seem triggered and distraught, I hope you’re able to compose yourself.

No, toys are not a must have.

I’m sure kids reading books leads to improvements in their reading abilities! My observations is that there are books in the school library that can readily accessed and duplicating that library in your classroom is not essential. At my child school the reading class even in kindergarten took place in the school library.

But what does this all have to do with gifts for teachers on Christmas? You imply that the source of funding for all this is the personal gifts from parents to the teachers. I say this creates some questionable ethical situations. The fact that there is a guidance on the gifts from the district underscores that as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a librarian in a high FARMs school and I had several students stop by on our las5 day to tell me thank you for the books or that they love our library class. Best gift ever.

Second best is Amazon cards to I can buy more books. I don’t have to supplement my budget by buying books out of pocket, but I do.

So stop buying books for the school library. Seriously. Your budget will never raise if there are all these extra unaccounted for expenses you are taking on personally. You don’t have to. Kids in other countries do better than kids in US academically with much less by way of these “supplies” teachers feel compelled to buy and then complain about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a librarian in a high FARMs school and I had several students stop by on our las5 day to tell me thank you for the books or that they love our library class. Best gift ever.

Second best is Amazon cards to I can buy more books. I don’t have to supplement my budget by buying books out of pocket, but I do.

So stop buying books for the school library. Seriously. Your budget will never raise if there are all these extra unaccounted for expenses you are taking on personally. You don’t have to. Kids in other countries do better than kids in US academically with much less by way of these “supplies” teachers feel compelled to buy and then complain about.

+1
Why should districts provide more funding for materials if their employees are willing to foot the bill?

Two ES Teacher Household

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Please don't give me anything, unless it's a letter to my principal (and if you really like me, copied to higher-ups) about what a great teacher I am (and why). I also love homemade cards or notes or drawings from your children, if they are inclined to do so without you forcing them. Otherwise, I'm an educational professional, not your friend, your nanny, or your relative. I don't need a gift or a tip. I mean, you wouldn't give one to your doctor.

I don't tip my doctor, but my doctor is not cutting into their own earnings to buy supplies for my kids. I send gift cards to target for this reason.

If this is the case why not ask for more class supplies from the school administration, make a request to the PTA or send a message to the parents in the class specifically to help buy said supplies.

Buying classroom supplies expecting to be reimbursed with gifts seems questionable to me.

I don’t think anyone things teachers are even remotely close to being fully reimbursed by gift cards. And most people realize that school administrators can’t or won’t release more funds for classroom supplies. Maybe a particularly flush PTA can do it, but classroom supplies aren’t as sexy as the other things they like to furnish.

You make the argument for gift cards by saying some teachers pay for supplies out of their pockets. My point is they are two different things and one doesn’t justify the other. Why do you bring up that you paid for supplies then?

Not me personally. I know teachers who do.

[Anonymous]

So stop buying books for the school library. Seriously. Your budget will never raise if there are all these extra unaccounted for expenses you are taking on personally. You don’t have to. Kids in other countries do better than kids in US academically with much less by way of these “supplies” teachers feel compelled to buy and then complain about.

Thanks for your thoughts. I don't do it often, but occasionally when I judge it to be helpful to me (I won't bother giving an example, as it will be torn apart by other teachers). Simply explaining to parents who might want to give a $5 or $10 gift card why it might be helpful to some teachers. I was clearly not complaining, as I prefaced my comment with "I don’t have to supplement my budget by buying books out of pocket." There was no connotation or martyrdom or misery there. Have a great day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a librarian in a high FARMs school and I had several students stop by on our las5 day to tell me thank you for the books or that they love our library class. Best gift ever.

Second best is Amazon cards to I can buy more books. I don’t have to supplement my budget by buying books out of pocket, but I do.

So stop buying books for the school library. Seriously. Your budget will never raise if there are all these extra unaccounted for expenses you are taking on personally. You don’t have to. Kids in other countries do better than kids in US academically with much less by way of these “supplies” teachers feel compelled to buy and then complain about.

+1
Why should districts provide more funding for materials if their employees are willing to foot the bill?

Two ES Teacher Household

Districts won't fund anything. If teachers stop funding their classrooms, there'll just be nothing. It's not like it we all stop buying things they'll step up. Have you ever known a school district to step up? For anything? Ever?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. Please don't give me anything, unless it's a letter to my principal (and if you really like me, copied to higher-ups) about what a great teacher I am (and why). I also love homemade cards or notes or drawings from your children, if they are inclined to do so without you forcing them. Otherwise, I'm an educational professional, not your friend, your nanny, or your relative. I don't need a gift or a tip. I mean, you wouldn't give one to your doctor.

I don't tip my doctor, but my doctor is not cutting into their own earnings to buy supplies for my kids. I send gift cards to target for this reason.

If this is the case why not ask for more class supplies from the school administration, make a request to the PTA or send a message to the parents in the class specifically to help buy said supplies.

Buying classroom supplies expecting to be reimbursed with gifts seems questionable to me.

We are not allowed to make any requests to the PTA, nor is there any money in the budget from school admin. My principal is just as likely to give me money out of her own pocket though. And my parents are poor, so I can't ask them. And no, I don't "expect" any gift for anything. I buy things for my students and my classroom because I love them. Period. Technically, I don't "have to" buy anything. But I would never want a classroom for my own children without books, without games or toys, without a fish tank, without basic supplies, without science or art materials so I make sure my students have those things. I want my students to have the same kind of classroom my own children get.

I'm so freaking tired of hearing from people b#tch#ing about teacher gifts. If you don't want to give anything or can't give anything, it's totally fine. I do my job based on an internal sense of care and dedication. The best gift you can give a teacher is to ensure your child is respectful, does their homework (or is read to at night if they are too little for homework) and has their basic needs met.

Books, every school has a library, you don’t need another one in your classroom
Games and toys, you’re at an educational institution, not a day care center
Fish tank, lol, take a field trip to the local zoo or aquarium
Science and art supplies, I’d be curious to know what the list consists of, I’ve seen great teachers do amazing things with cheap supplies.

I helped organize a science fair at my child’s elementary schools. You can set up hands on experiments for an entire class for $20. If you set up a list of things you need I’m sure you’d find some parents to help you with.

Obviously, you aren't aware of the research around books in the classroom and outcomes. Games? Yes, I teach kindergarten and kids learn through games. Toys, again, Kindergarten. These are a MUST HAVE. Seriously, go away. Please. Go away.

You seem triggered and distraught, I hope you’re able to compose yourself.

No, toys are not a must have.

I’m sure kids reading books leads to improvements in their reading abilities! My observations is that there are books in the school library that can readily accessed and duplicating that library in your classroom is not essential. At my child school the reading class even in kindergarten took place in the school library.

But what does this all have to do with gifts for teachers on Christmas? You imply that the source of funding for all this is the personal gifts from parents to the teachers. I say this creates some questionable ethical situations. The fact that there is a guidance on the gifts from the district underscores that as well.

Eyeroll at the "triggered and distraught" comment. Love how people who have never been a teacher think they know anything about teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a librarian in a high FARMs school and I had several students stop by on our las5 day to tell me thank you for the books or that they love our library class. Best gift ever.

Second best is Amazon cards to I can buy more books. I don’t have to supplement my budget by buying books out of pocket, but I do.

So stop buying books for the school library. Seriously. Your budget will never raise if there are all these extra unaccounted for expenses you are taking on personally. You don’t have to. Kids in other countries do better than kids in US academically with much less by way of these “supplies” teachers feel compelled to buy and then complain about.

+1
Why should districts provide more funding for materials if their employees are willing to foot the bill?

Two ES Teacher Household

Districts won't fund anything. If teachers stop funding their classrooms, there'll just be nothing. It's not like it we all stop buying things they'll step up. Have you ever known a school district to step up? For anything? Ever?

PP here. Can you think of a district that has had to step up because the employees all stopped buying things?

As I mentioned we both teach ES grades. We don’t spend any money on our classrooms. Well, my PTA will reimburse about $75 so I find enough to buy to receive that reimbursement Honestly the district and school provides quite a bit. We aren’t even close to having nothing.